A periodical dispenser for aerosol containers

ABSTRACT

In an actuator for periodically dispensing metered quantities of the contents of an aerosol container, a housing is provided having means for maintaining the valve stem of the aerosol container in an open position. A metering chamber is formed in the housing which is also provided with a first valve communicating with the interior of the aerosol container and the metering chamber, and a second valve communicating between the metering chamber by means of a passageway and the atmosphere. Means responsive to drive means having low power requirements concurrently reverse the position of the first and second valve means on a periodic basis so that a metered quantity of the contents of the aerosol container is discharged into the atmosphere from the metering chamber when the second valve means is open. The metering chamber is filled when the position of the valve means is reversed.

United States .Patent [72] Inventor Herbert S. Werner Massapequa, L. 1., N.Y. [21] Appl. No. 851,389 [22] Filed Aug. 19, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [73] Assignee Leonard H. King, trustee [54] A PERIODICAL DISPENSER FOR AEROSOL CONTAINERS 17 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 222/70, 222/402.2 [51] Int. CI G04c 23/38 [50] Field of Search 222/70, 71, 402.24,402.2, 76, 16,424.11.402.14; 221/15; 128/208; 325/310, 37, 166

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,321,107 5/1967 Govin et a1. 222/70 3,187,748 6/1965 Mitchell et al.. 128/208 3,055,552 9/1962 Emmons 222/70 2,741,601 4/1956 MacCready,Jr. 854,097 5/1907 MacKeown ABSTRACT: In an actuator for periodically dispensing metered quantities of the contents of an aerosol container, a housing is provided having means for maintaining the valve stem of the aerosol container in an open position. A metering chamber is formed in the housing which is also provided with a first valve communicating with the interior of the aerosol container and the metering chamber, and a second valve communicating between the metering chamber by means of a passageway and the atmosphere. Means responsive to drive means having low power requirements concurrently reverse the position of the first and second valve means on a periodic basis so that a metered quantity of the contents of the aerosol container is discharged into the atmosphere from the metering chamber when the second valve means is open. The metering chamber is filled when the position of the valve means is reversed.

PATENTEU mm 5 m: 3610'471 SHEET 1 or 2 FIG. 3 FIG, 4

INVENTOR. HERBERT 5f WERNER A TTORNEY PATENTED 0m 5L9?! 3,610,471

SHEET 2 [IF 2 62 2a 72 70 46 fig y 54 W Q 7Q T Z 70 8 4 "*L 6 A 3 22 56 FIG. 5 1 F1 7 1 X 54 f La J4 9 84 l RECEIVER SWITCH l/ 82 57 flea/m2 82 RECEIVER I NVEN TOR. HERBERT 7. WERNER BY K MA Ma A PERIODICAL DISPENSER FOR AEROSOL CONTAINERS This invention relates generally to automatically timed valve actuating means and more particularly to such structure for use in periodically dispensing metered quantities of the contents of an aerosol container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has long been recognized that it would be desirable to have some means for automatically discharging the pressurized contents of an aerosol container. In addition to the absence of any manual manipulation is the requirement for dispensing metered quantities of the aerosol contents at periodic intervals over long periods of time. Low-power input, reliability and simplicity of construction are all important design considerations. Structure meeting the foregoing requirements would find utility, for example, in the remote, unattended and automatic discharge of room deodorants, insecticides and the like.

Prior art structure in this field is characterized by costly and complex construction that limits usage and reduces reliability. The prior art generally required extensive gear trains, linkages and cams in order to accurately meter the discharge from an aerosol container. This structure, in turn, resulted in relatively high-power requirements. In addition, much of the prior art, because of its large size and complex construction, is not well adapted to remote and inaccessible locations.

By way of contrast, the present invention is compact, simple in construction and relatively inexpensive. Of paramount importance is the fact that very little power is required to operate the present invention for long periods of time. The present invention is therefore reliable and can effectively discharge precisely metered quantities of the contents of an aerosol container.

In its broadest aspect the present invention provides a metering chamber within a housing that can be coupled to and which includes means to hold the conventional integral valve of the aerosol container in an open position. First valve means in the housing provides fluid communication between the aerosol container and the metering chamber.

As will be explained more fully hereinafter, a minimum of power is required to operate the present invention. Drive means such as a simple transistorized clock motor, which may be energized for as much as a year by a 1.5 volt battery, moves a single, pivotal member that opens the first valve and at substantially the same time closes a second valve that provides fluid communication between the metering chamber and the atmosphere; The only load on the clock motor and the battery is that required to open the valve to the aerosol container and close the valve means that provides fluid communication between the metering chamber and the atmosphere. A simple compression spring restrains the pivotal member and maintains the first valve means which leads to the aerosol can in a closed position. The clock motor need be strong enough only to periodically overcome the force imparted by the compression spring. Intermittent means couple the clock motor and the valve reversing means so that the metering chamber charges on a periodic basis and then freely discharges.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide improved means for discharging a metered quantity of the contents of an aerosol container.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved actuator, as described above, having relatively low-power requirements.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved actuator, as described above, that is of simple and low cost construction.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved, remotely located actuator, as described above, that is reliable over relatively long periods of time.

A particular object of this invention is to provide an improved actuator, as described above, that is driven by a clock motor and a low voltage battery.

A specific object of this invention is to provide an improved actuator, as described above, that provides means to hold the aerosol container valve in a normally open position to feed a metering chamber and valve means to close the passageway between the metering chamber and the aerosol container and open a passageway between the metering chamber and the atmosphere.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity and will, in part, become obvious from the following more detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which forms an integral part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the various figures of the drawing, like reference characters designate like parts.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic views, illustrating the relationship of the components comprising this invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views, similar to FIGS. 1A and 1B, illustrating the reversed positions of the valve means comprising this invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of one structural embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional plan view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional, elevational view taken through the first, normally closed valve means and the metering chamber along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a transverse, sectional elevational view taken through the passageway that connects metering and discharge chambers as well as the first and second valve means along line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevational view taken through the second, normally open valvealong line 88 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative drive means for the actuator comprising this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 18, 2A and 23, there is shown a schematic representation of the actuator 10 comprising this invention. The actuator 10 includes drive means, for example, a conventional transistorized clock motor 12 that is energized by 1.5 v. battery 14. The output shaft 16 of the clock motor 12 has a plate 18 mounted for rotation thereon and a plurality of pins 20 spaced apart by equal angular dimensions.

Suitable means (not shown) support a housing 22 in proximity to the plate 18. A shaft 24, mounted on he housing 22, pivotally supports a cantilevered arm 26 having an upwardly directed extension 28 and two angularly disposed working faces 30 and 32. When the plate 18 is rotated by the clock motor 12, the pins 20 will pivot the extension 28 and the arm 26 in one angular direction, about the axis of the shaft 24. A compression spring 34 acting between the face 32 and the top surface of the housing 22 moves the arm 26 so that the extension 28 is free of the influence of the pins 20 and the clock motor 12.

As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the face 30, when in the position shown in FIG. 1A, depresses a pin 36 that is freely floating in the housing 22. When depressed the pin 36 exerts a force in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 1B) and in turn maintains a valve 38 in the open position as shown in FIG. 1B.

When the arm 26 and the extension 28 are in the position shown in FIG. 2A, face 32 acts in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 2B) and depresses a pin 44 that is freely floating in the housing 22. The pin 44 in turn depresses and moves a valve 45 to an open position. A spring 48 urges the valve stem 46 of the valve 45 to the closed position when the actuator 10 is in the FIG. 1A position.

The internal valve switching and metering arrangement will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 3-8. A cover member 50, in which the pins 36 and 44 float freely is secured sealing gasket 54, to be described later, is positioned between the cover 50 and the housing 22.

The apparatus employs a conventional aerosol container C with a hollow stem 60 through which is released the pressurized contents of the container when the stem is depressed. The housing 22 also includes a projection 56 and a socket 58 to receive the hollow stem nozzle 60 of the aerosol container C in a gastight relationship. The housing is provided with bore 49 adapted to receive the stem in a gastight relationship when the can is inserted. The stem is spring-loaded so that it may be inserted into the bore and the container permitted to rest on ledge 51 with the stem depressed to place the aerosol containers integral valve in an open position. As shown in FIG. 6, a metering chamber 62 is formed in the housing 22 and, by means of a passageway 64, is in fluid communication with the aerosol container nozzle 60. The valve 38, which may be a conventional pneumatic tire valve, is positioned in the passageway 64 which is coaxial with an opening 66 in the gasket 54. Thus, the pin 36 (FIG. 1A), can extend through the gasket opening 66 and, as described above, engage and maintain the valve 38 in the open position.

A passageway 68, as shown in FIG. 7, connects the metering chamber 62 with a discharge chamber 70. The second closed valve 45 is contained within the discharge chamber 70 in opposition to the pin 44. Thus, when the actuator is in the position shown in FIG. 2A, the pin 44 acts in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 2B) and opens the valve 45 so that the contents of the metering chamber 62 will be dispensed from the discharge chamber 70. It should be noted at this time that when the stem of valve 45 is depressed and opened by the force of the direction of arrow B, the force in the direction of arrow A is removed and valve 38 is closed by spring 42 so that only the contents of the metering chamber 62 will be discharged and not the remaining material in the aerosol container C.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, it will be seen that a second, L-shaped opening is formed in the gasket 54. The first leg 72 of the second gasket opening is located coincidentally with the discharge chamber 70 and the second valve 45 so that the pin 44 may extend through the gasket 54 in order to reverse the position of the second valve 45 at the appropriate time (FIG. 2A). The second leg 74 of the second gasket opening is located a distance away from the discharge chamber 70 and directly beneath an outlet orifice 76. Thus the contents of the metering chamber will leak" along the plane of the gasket 54 prior to being discharged. It has not been found necessary to form an additional fluid passageway between the discharge chamber 70 and the outlet orifice 76 although this can be done to provide greater flow. The valves are shown schematically and may be valves such as conventionally used in automobile tires.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates alternative means for driving the actuator 10 and is particularly useful for a plurality of remote installations wherein substantially simultaneous discharge from all the containers is desired. Transistorized clock 80 is energized from battery 81. The clock is arranged to close switch contacts 83 for, say, a 30-minute period. This period eliminates the need for accurate clocks where a number of devices are employed for simultaneous actuation. Closing of contacts 83 energizes radio receiver 82. Upon receipt of a suitable pulse, or signal of predetermined frequency from transmitter 87, switch 84 is closed, energizing solenoid 86 from battery 8]. Switch 83 may comprise a solid state device such as a transistor. The armature of the solenoid 86 is coupled to a member 88 adapted to substantially simultaneously close the first, normally open valve 38 and open the second, normally closed valve 45 to produce the mode of operation described above. The solenoid may be deenergized upon termination of the control signal from the transmitter or by conventional mechanical means. A suitable time delay can be introduced ifdesircd.

It will be appreciated that normally only the clock draws power from the battery and that the receiver draws power for only a brief period. The solenoid and radio receiver may be of the low power type used in conjunction with radio controlled model airplanes.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the structure disclosed provides very simple and effective means for discharging metered quantities of the contents of an aerosol container. Drive means that requirea minimum quantity of power may be operated effectively for long periods of time. The aerosol containers may be operated individually by mechanical means or a group of aerosol containers may simultaneously be discharged at a plurality of locations by remote means such as a radio signal.

Regardless of the form of the invention that is used, a precise quantity is discharged from the aerosol container each time it is actuated. Complex gear trains, linkages or the like are not required so that the power input can be kept low to assure length,'unattended and reliable usage. The provision of two oppositely positioned and reversible valve means assures that only the material in the metering chamber will be dispensed each time the device is actuated.

lclaim:

1. An actuator adapted to be attached to a nozzle of an aerosol container of the type having a normally closed valve for dispensing metered quantities of the pressurized contents therein, said actuator comprising:

a. a housing:

b. means on said housing for holding open the normally closed valve on the aerosol container;

c. a metering chamber in said housing;

d. first valve means having an axially displaceable pin for providing fluid communication between said metering chamber and the interior of the aerosol container whereby said metering chamber is filled with a charge of the contents of the aerosol container when said actuator is attached to the nozzle of the aerosol container;

e. second valve means having an axially displaceable pin for providing fluid communication between said metering chamber and the atmosphere;

f. drive means;

g. means responsive to said drive means for periodically reversing the position of said valve means whereby, when said valve means is in the open position and said first valve means is in the closed position, the material in said metering chamber is discharged into the atmosphere, said metering chamber being filled when said second valve means is in the closed position and said first valve means is in the opened position;

b. a discharge nozzle spaced from and in communication with said second valve means;

i. gasket means and a cover sealingly securing said gasket means to said housing, said pins of said valve means extending loosely through said gasket means and said cover; and

j. a passageway in said gasket means for providing fluid communication between said discharge nozzle and said second valve means.

2. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a motor and a low-voltage battery for driving said motor.

3. The actuator in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means responsive to said drive means comprises a member for applying a force against said valve means for reversing the positions thereof, means coupling said member to said drive means in timed relation to the movement thereof and means for restoring said member to the position thereof prior to the application of said force.

4. The actuator in accordance with claim 3 wherein said member is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis that is in a plane perpendicular to the plane of axial movement of said valve means, said pins being positioned so as to be axially displaced by a portion of said member.

5. The actuator in accordance with claim 4 wherein said portions of said member positioned for displacing said pins are substantially planar surfaces forming an angle with respect to each other.

6. The actuator in accordance with claim 3 wherein said coupling means comprises plate means mounted on the Output shaft of said drive means for movement together therewith, a plurality of indexing means integral with said plate means and equally spaced apart in an angular direction and a single element integral with said force applying member, successive ones of said indexing means being positioned so as to angularly displace said single element whereby successive forces are applied to said valve means.

7. The actuator in accordance with claim 6 wherein said indexing means comprises a plurality of pins extending from said plate means and said single element comprises an extension integral with said force applying means, said pins being arranged to successively abut and angularly displace said extension. 7

8. The actuator in accordance with claim 3 wherein said restoring means comprises a spring.

9. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 further including passageway means in said housing for providing fluid communication between said first and second valve means.

10. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing further includes socket means for receiving the discharge nozzle of the aerosol container and for maintaining the outlet means of the aerosol container in an open position.

11. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises serially connected antenna means, radio signal receiving means and switch means, said means responsive to said drive means comprising at least one solenoid serially connected to said switch means, said solenoid being couple to said valve means for reversing the position thereof in response to a signal at a frequency to which said signal receiving means is timed.

12. The actuator in accordance with claim 11 wherein there are a plurality of said solenoids and a plurality of said actuators responsive thereto.

13. In combination with the actuator of claim 1:

a. a radio receiver;

b. a clock mechanism for energizing said radio receiver only at predetermined times;

0. switch means under control of said radio receiver means for closing an external circuit controlling said drive means for actuating said drive means upon receipt of a specific signal by said radio receiver.

14. ln combination with the actuator of claim 1 wherein said drive means is electrically actuated, a radio receiver, clocks means for energizing said radio receiver at predetermined times; and switch means controlled by said radio receiver for closing a circuit arranged to actuate said drive means upon receipt of a specific controlled signal by said radio receiver.

15. A system in accordance with claim 13 comprising a plurality of said actuators and a transmitting means for providing said specified signal.

16. The actuator of claim 13 wherein said clock motor is electrically energized.

17. The actuator of claim 16, employing a single energy source for energizing said receiver and said clock motor. 

1. An actuator adapted to be attached to a nozzle of an aerosol container of the type having a normally closed valve for dispensing metered quantities of the pressurized contents therein, said actuator comprising: a. a housing: b. means on said housing for holding open the normally closed valve on the aerosol container; c. a metering chamber in said housing; d. first valve means having an axially displaceable pin for providing fluid communication between said metering chamber and the interior of the aerosol container whereby said metering chamber is filled with a charge of the contents of the aerosol container when said actuator is attached to the nozzle of the aerosol container; e. second valve means having an axially displaceable pin for providing fluid communication between said metering chamber and the atmosphere; f. drive means; g. means responsive to said drive means for periodically reversing the position of said valve means whereby, when said valve means is in the open position and said first valve means is in the closed position, the material in said metering chamber is discharged into the atmosphere, said metering chamber being filled when said second valve Means is in the closed position and said first valve means is in the opened position; h. a discharge nozzle spaced from and in communication with said second valve means; i. gasket means and a cover sealingly securing said gasket means to said housing, said pins of said valve means extending loosely through said gasket means and said cover; and j. a passageway in said gasket means for providing fluid communication between said discharge nozzle and said second valve means.
 2. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a motor and a low-voltage battery for driving said motor.
 3. The actuator in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means responsive to said drive means comprises a member for applying a force against said valve means for reversing the positions thereof, means coupling said member to said drive means in timed relation to the movement thereof and means for restoring said member to the position thereof prior to the application of said force.
 4. The actuator in accordance with claim 3 wherein said member is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis that is in a plane perpendicular to the plane of axial movement of said valve means, said pins being positioned so as to be axially displaced by a portion of said member.
 5. The actuator in accordance with claim 4 wherein said portions of said member positioned for displacing said pins are substantially planar surfaces forming an angle with respect to each other.
 6. The actuator in accordance with claim 3 wherein said coupling means comprises plate means mounted on the output shaft of said drive means for movement together therewith, a plurality of indexing means integral with said plate means and equally spaced apart in an angular direction and a single element integral with said force applying member, successive ones of said indexing means being positioned so as to angularly displace said single element whereby successive forces are applied to said valve means.
 7. The actuator in accordance with claim 6 wherein said indexing means comprises a plurality of pins extending from said plate means and said single element comprises an extension integral with said force applying means, said pins being arranged to successively abut and angularly displace said extension.
 8. The actuator in accordance with claim 3 wherein said restoring means comprises a spring.
 9. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 further including passageway means in said housing for providing fluid communication between said first and second valve means.
 10. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing further includes socket means for receiving the discharge nozzle of the aerosol container and for maintaining the outlet means of the aerosol container in an open position.
 11. The actuator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises serially connected antenna means, radio signal receiving means and switch means, said means responsive to said drive means comprising at least one solenoid serially connected to said switch means, said solenoid being couple to said valve means for reversing the position thereof in response to a signal at a frequency to which said signal receiving means is timed.
 12. The actuator in accordance with claim 11 wherein there are a plurality of said solenoids and a plurality of said actuators responsive thereto.
 13. In combination with the actuator of claim 1: a. a radio receiver; b. a clock mechanism for energizing said radio receiver only at predetermined times; c. switch means under control of said radio receiver means for closing an external circuit controlling said drive means for actuating said drive means upon receipt of a specific signal by said radio receiver.
 14. In combination with the actuator of claim 1 wherein said drive means is electrically actuated, a radio receiver, clocks means for energizing said radio receiver at predetermined times; and switch means controlled by said radio receiVer for closing a circuit arranged to actuate said drive means upon receipt of a specific controlled signal by said radio receiver.
 15. A system in accordance with claim 13 comprising a plurality of said actuators and a transmitting means for providing said specified signal.
 16. The actuator of claim 13 wherein said clock motor is electrically energized.
 17. The actuator of claim 16, employing a single energy source for energizing said receiver and said clock motor. 